THE FLOOD 1133 acquisitive wooden shanties and the Iwo boys had already got their kettle boiling in this little shelter, and were just beginning to enjoy their bread and jam when they heard the Mayor thump- ing at the door of Mrs. Jones' ramshackle storehouse. Elphin peeped out. "It's Master Geard!" he whispered excitedly to his friend. "And he be all white and shivery. He've a heerd summat. He've a heered the girt flood. He be come to tell Mother Jones she best climb up Tor-top wi' he!'1 Steve Lew stood up with wide-open eyes. His mouth was full of bread and jam, but he was too agitated to masticate or even to swallow. The wild and extravagant thought rushed through his head that perhaps Mr. Geard would condescend to share their amateur repast. "It would ... be fine, Elph, wouldn't "tin," ho blurted out, "if Mayor drank a cup o1 tea along wi' we?" Elphin sighed. He had anticipated the pleasure of uninter- rupted colloquy with his young friend when he had strengthened his heart with raspberry jam. He wished the Mayor of Glaston- bury at the devil! Why was fate always snatching the few hours of romance which he had in life away from him? It had been like this when he was with Mr. Sam. Someone was always interrupting! Elphin stood hesitating in the doorway now, one agitated eye upon the obese, bare-headed man, who was now muttering to him- self and gazing hopelessly around, and one upon his stuttering and excited friend. But the Mayor of Glastonbury had caught sight of him. "Do 'ee know where a man could get a sip of hot tea, me boy?" he enquired humbly, almost in the tone of a thirsty tramp. Elphin scowled savagely; but his sense of honour compelled him to report the great man's request to the boy in the hut. "He be asking for summat hot," he whispered. Steve swallowed his mouthful so- hurriedly that it almost choked him, and rushed to tibe door. "Please come in here, Sir!" he cried, pushing his friend unceremoniously out of the way, "Me and Elph be having a bite, us be, and us *ud be proud to give 'ee all!" Bloody Johnny responded to this invitation with alacrity and his gratitude and good temper when he had eaten and drunk